John Hay ready for PAL Ladies

BAGUIO – The Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub field will be up to a “fairly challenging” test starting Oct. 4 when the 2016 edition of the tournament tees off at scenic Camp John Hay Golf Club here.

Tournament director Henry Arabelo will supervise the set-up of the well-manicured layout, a Jack Nicklaus-designed gem that is about 5,000 feet above sea level.

Playing as a par-69, the tournament will use the regular men’s tees, which will be just under 4,700 yards with pins to be placed strategically to ensure fairness and toughness at the same time, according to Arabelo.

Manila Southwoods-Masters will be shooting to win the centerpiece Championship Division a sixth straight time that would extend its unprecedented streak as Cebu Country Club tries – again – to dislodge the Carmona-based lasses.

Pauline del Rosario, who finished second to Princess Superal in the professional ICTSI tour for the second straight time on Friday, will be spearheading SW-Masters’ charge in the absence of Abby Arevalo who is taking a leave because of studies in the United States.

Arevalo, who is on a golfing scholarship at San Jose State, was the individual champion in Bacolod last year where she led SW-Masters to a come-from-behind win.

Sister Irina and Junia Gabasa will be the main bets of Cebu CC, which will also be missing the services of ace Lois Kaye Go even as trophies in the Founders, Sportswriters and Friendship Divisions are also up for grabs in the 72-hole event.

Teams will be represented by four players each day, with only the top three scores to count and each player playing just two rounds over four days, making fielding an integral part.